(1 Cor. 12:26) These words inspired the 1,400 churches of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) to pray for and give generous financial support for the Great East Japan Disaster relief work. Of the 230 million yen contributed by all foreign sources to the Kyodan for relief work, 82 million of that came from these Taiwanese churches. During the month of March this year, near the second anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami, the Kyodan held special events around the nation to commemorate the disaster, and Rev. Pusin Tali, the PCT moderator, came toJapanto deliver a message at one of those events. The PCT also invited the Kyodan moderator to give the message at special events held inTaiwanto commemorate the second anniversary of the disaster.

Three separate events were held: the first inTaipeion March 24, the second in Hsinchu on March 25, and the third in Taiochung on March 26. There are 17 PCT-related hospitals inTaiwan, and most of those are quite large operations. I was really impressed by both the scale of the operations and how they begin their days with a morning worship service and witness to the gospel through their medical services. The meeting in Hsinchu was held in a church and the other two others in the chapels of the hospitals. I was also deeply moved by the wonderful praise music of various choirs, including those made up of hospital staff, church members, a women’s chorus, and the Amin tribe choir wearing their traditional costumes. I was really surprised to hear “Sen no kaze ni natte” (English title: “Do not stand at my grave and weep”), a hit song inJapan, sung in Japanese by the women’s chorus. Thus, in each of these gatherings, the people expressed their heartfelt sincerity to comfortJapanin the midst of the pain caused by the Great East Japan Disaster. One of the PCT staff persons guiding me around even presented me with a gift of a flag sold in an ordinary shop that had printed on it, “NO NUKES, NO moreFukushima.”

There are four nuclear power plants inTaiwan, located 30 to 40 km. away fromTaipei. Therefore, if an accident similar to the one inFukushimaever occurred, the seriousness of the situation would threaten the very existence of the country. Thus, there is real sympathy with the description of negative effects on children’s health caused by the nuclear plant accident inJapan. At the Easter services of all PCT churches, collection envelopes were passed out to all in attendance, asking everyone to make a contribution for relief work for the Great East Japan Disaster.

On behalf of Kyodan, I repeatedly expressed my deepest appreciation to the PCT for its prayers and financial assistance, as it empathized with our deep sorrow and pain. I used the Taiwanese word, “Chin-to-sia,” which expresses the highest form of gratitude. (Tr. KY)